Chapter 51
Jack had just received notice that morning: a new recruit from Northriver University’s graduate finance program would be parachuting straight into their company.
Rumor had it she had a powerful background—definitely not Victoria, Jack thought.
The resume Victoria had submitted showed she only had an undergraduate degree from Northriver University. Jack seriously doubted credentials like that could land her the job as Mr. Garcia’s assistant.
But since Mr. Garcia had specifically requested her, Jack figured he’d just watch from the sidelines and see what happened.
Word spread quickly through the office. For someone as strict as Mr. Garcia to hire an assistant with no reputation or connections, it was obvious to anyone with half a brain what must be going on between him and Victoria.
“Hah.”
Ailie let out a cold laugh. If anyone in Starfall City deserved the title of “finance prodigy,” it was Victoria-no question about it.
“Who did HR say the finance prodigy is?” Ailie pressed.
Jack shrugged. “Some woman with the last name Marchand. Heard her boyfriend’s the CEO of The Langford Group.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me—”
Meanwhile, Victoria was focused on her work at her desk, methodically handling every task Curtis had assigned her.
Ailie burst in, grabbed her by the arm, and started to pull her away.
“Come on, let’s quit. I’m leaving, too.”
Victoria blinked, baffled. Just hours ago, Ailie had bent over backwards to help her get into Quantum Core Technologies. Now, less than three hours into her first day, she was talking about quitting together?
“Why?”
Victoria had already finished the work Curtis gave her. Ailie glanced at the computer screen-and nearly did a double take.
“You… you finished all this?”
Unbelievable. The last assistant had been fired with half the work still unfinished, and here Victoria had just breezed through it in no time.
Was she some kind of octopus?
“Yeah. I entered all the data, organized it, sorted out the most promising proposals from the junk, and filed everything properly. It wasn’t that hard.”
Victoria sounded casual, but Ailie looked at her like she was some kind of genius.
“Anyway, listen-the boss’s side
piece is joining our team. And she’s coming in as Deputy Manager of Venture Capital. Back when we were at Northriver, I never even heard of her.”
Victoria thought of Violet, but her face barely registered any emotion.
“Oh.”
Ailie was surprised. “You’re not angry?”
“Angry? McNeil and I are getting divorced sooner or later. Even if he’s not with Violet, he’ll end up marrying someone else. Doesn’t matter to me.”
Victoria’s tone was calm, as if she’d long since moved past all that pointless jealousy.
“Like I told you, I’m here to work. Everything else is irrelevant.”
Ailie relaxed a little, seeing how unfazed Victoria was.
“You really don’t mind?”
Ailie genuinely worried they might end up at each other’s throats in the office.
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep things professional,” Victoria reassured her.
Just then, Curtis walked in, catching both women still at Victoria’s desk.
“We’re holding a welcome party tomorrow night for the new hires. Victoria, you have to come.”
He glanced at the computer screen and looked as stunned as Ailie had been. “You finished already?”
Victoria nodded calmly. “If Mr. Garcia wants to double-check, he can. If there’s any issue, let me know.”
“Mr. Garcia, Victoria
and I can skip
the party, right?” Ailie piped up. She figured this so-called welcome party was really for Jack’s “finance prodigy”-and given Victoria’s reputation as Mrs. Langford, the real Mrs. Langford, this event was probably set up just for the new girl.
“No way,” Curtis said firmly. He had no idea Victoria was McNeil’s wife-the very same Mrs. Langford he and his friends had always been curious about but never actually met.
“I’m fine with it, Ailie,” Victoria said quietly. “Come on, let’s go together tomorrow night.”
It was just a welcome party. If Violet was joining Quantum Core Technologies, they’d have to face each other sooner or later anyway.